Potty Training
by Stephanie G.
Potty training my daughter wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I started when my daughter was nearing 2 years old. I noticed a spot where she would hide to use #2. As soon as I saw her doing so, I would rush her to the potty chair. After a while, I wasn't so enthused about cleaning the whole mess. I decided to buy a child potty seat that fits over the toilet.
After rushing her to the toilet for #2, she caught on quickly. I was so amazed. Now she knew that for #2, we had to rush to the bathroom. I can't tell you how proud and relieved I was, because she caught on within a month or two. During this time, I became pregnant with my son, so for me as long as she took care of the real business on the potty, that was great for me. It was more convenient for me to change her pull-up, then to be rushing her to the potty all the time. Now I feel bad for having prolonged her training.
By the time my son came around, my daughter was about to be three. It was time to finish what I had started. I began one Saturday I knew we would be home all day. In the morning, I took her straight to to potty. But as the day progressed, I began with breakfast, then dishes and I would absolutely forget about having to take her periodically. I know I should have been more focused. But as my regular Sat. routine began, here I would find my little girl at my knees, "Mommy, I'm wet", over and over again. So, I went back to the pull-ups.
After a couple of weeks, I knew I had to go cold turkey. I didn't want to confuse her by putting them on some of the time and not others. So, we dealt with the messes and I tried to stay more focused. Sure enough, she caught on within days, no more pull-ups and no more messes. For nighttime, we go potty before bedtime and first thing in the morning. My husband was amazed that she stays dry through the night. I'm just glad it's finished and done.
What has worked for you? I'd love to hear some of your methods.
cold turkey all the way. It worked for both my girls. I haven't tried it on my son yet (he's only 20 months). I blogged about it here: http://threetimemommy.blogspot.com/search/label/potty%20training
Posted by: Megan | April 08, 2008 at 09:55 AM
I'm going through the potty training phase with my youngest son right now. Some times he's all for using the potty and other times he doesn't want anything to do with it.
I need to be more focused with him, as you mentioned I get doing my thing and forget to take him.
Posted by: Wendy Wood | April 15, 2008 at 08:22 AM
Wow that is great. I have a boy and it is alot harder to teach how to point and aim, if you know what I mean.LOL
I started when he was 22 months. He was day trained by the time he was 3, but still wears a pull up at night because of bed wetting. He will be 5 in June. I can't wait for him to stop the bed wetting, but it runs in my family, so I expected it.
Now I have a two year old boy that I have to start all over again. Wish me luck.
Posted by: Due Bei Bambini | April 16, 2008 at 07:43 PM